The 1979 FIBA World Championship for Women (Korean: 1979 FIBA 세계 여자 선수권 대회) was the eighth FIBA World Championship for Women.

The tournament was hosted by South Korea, from 29 April to 13 May 1979.

The United States won the world championship for the third time.

Bolivia Canada Netherlands South Korea – host Brazil France Japan Senegal Australia Italy Malaysia United States – silver medalists in 1976 Olympics (H) – host nation.

The United States qualified outright for the final round of the tournament by the virtue of silver medal finish at the 1976 Olympic Games.